An obituary for the 2015 Colorado Rockies

With a 7-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, the Colorado Rockies were officially eliminated from postseason contention in 2015. However, the Rockies really gave up on any hopes of contention about six weeks earlier as the trade deadline approached. As the team looks to the future, here is a look to the past at what transpired thoughout the 2015 season in Colorado.

Playing under a (literal) dark cloud

Rain followed the Rockies this season, as they had 14 games delayed by weather in 2015 with the delays totaling more than 22 hours of waiting out wet weather. Colorado also had five games postponed this season. While much of the wet weather was at Coors Field, the Rockies even experienced a rainout in San Diego and delays in Los Angeles and Houston, the latter thanks to Tropical Storm Bill creating unsafe conditions.

The Troy Tulowitzki trade

While the Rockies were mathematically eliminated from the postseason Saturday, their chances of contention in 2015 ended for all intents and purposes on July 27, when they traded Troy Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays. In return for the All-Star shortstop, the Rockies received Jose Reyes and three pitching prospects, Jeff Hoffman, Miguel Castro and Jesus Tinoco.

In 87 games with the Rockies in 2015 Tulowitzki hit .300/.348/.471 with a dozen home runs. His .818 OPS was his lowest in a season since 2008. In his place, Reyes has hit .270/.302/.411 with three home runs in 35 games with Colorado.

However, this trade for the Rockies was mostly about the pitching prospects they acquired in the deal. The young pitchers that came in the deal have pitched quite well, especially Tinoco, who had a 1.80 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 40 innings at Low-A Asheville after the trade. Hoffman, the ninth overall pick in the 2014 draft, posted a 3.22 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 36⅓ innings at Double-A New Britain, with 10 walks and 29 strikeouts.

CarGo and Arenado stage home run race

Despite their 60-83 record, the Rockies have the top two in the National Leauge in home runs. Nolan Arenado leads the way with 38 home runs, and Carlos Gonzalez is right behind his teammate with 37. Gonzalez has been especially impressive, as he hit just four home runs in April and May, but has hit 33 in 90 games since June 1.

Arenado has been more consistent, though he hit just one home run in July, and has hit .283/.318/.572 this season and appears to be en route to his third straight Gold Glove at third base. At age 24, the Rockies will look for him to be a cornerstone as they build their next contender.